MILITARY HISTORY
PRIVATE WESTHALL ADAMSON – No. 510017– Active Service (World War I)
On July 29th, 1915, Westhall Adamson completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) at Bellville Ontario. He was 29 years old when, as a married man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. Westhall was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, and gave his birthdate as 23rd March 1886. He listed his present address as 161 Church Street, Bellville, Ontario. He was married to Lillian Adamson. Westhall indicated that he had 4 years of previous Military experience in the Militia in the 15th Regiment but he had not served in an Active Formation or Unit of The Canadian Army.
Westhall indicated he had previously worked as a chauffeur. He was described as standing 6 feet 1 inch weighing 173 pounds, with a fair complexion and blue eyes. He was trained at the Barriefield Camp.
Westhall was sent to England with the Canadian 5th Cavalry Supply Company on 10th October 1915 and to France on 24th January 1916.
The 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), CEF, was authorized on 10 August 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 29 September 1915. It entered the theatre of operations in France on 14 February 1915, where it fought as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion was disbanded on 15 September 1920. 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), CEF, is perpetuated by the North Saskatchewan Regiment.
Private Adamson was hospitalized in December 1917 from injuries suffered from barbed wire, again on February 26, 1918, with “trench foot”. On the 13th of May 1918, he received burns on his feet from being treated in hospital with electric current, but the file notes he did not complain. On March 22, 1919, he was examined and noted that he had defective hearing due to explosions in the battlefield which occurred 3 years ago and showed no improvement.
Private Adamson was discharged on May 16th, 1919 as part of the demobilization. He returned to Canada on the HMT Royal-George.
Private Adamson had served 3 years and 10 months. He was eligible for the Volunteer Service Medal, British War Medal 1914-1920, and the Victory Medal 1914-1919.
An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:
The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?
PERSONAL HISTORY
Westhall “Wes” Adamson was born on March 23, 1886, in Oldham, Lancashire, England, the son of Jemima Greenhalgh and William Thomas Adamson. He received his education there before coming to Canada. He met Lillian “Lillie” Mary Meloy and they were married in Peterborough on May 18, 1907. They made their home in Belleville where West worked as a labourer in a mill. They had three children Lillie born in 1905, Gladys born in 1909, William born in 1910 and Westhall born in 1910. On July 29, 1915, Wes enlisted to serve his King and country. After the war, Wes returned home in 1919, and not long after his return Lillian passed away.
Wes met and married Eva Emma Laura Crowe, daughter of Martha “Mattie” Mathews and William Francis “Hatch” Crowe, on December 24, 1929. They settled in Lakefield and made their home at 35 Bridge Street. Wes worked at the Canada Cement Plant along with his two sons. Wes was a member of the Lakefield Legion Branch #77 and in June 1972 Wes was presented with a special pin on the occasion of the completion of 40 years of service. Wes passed away on July 29, 1974 and Eva died in 1987, both are buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw, Ontario.
